James is a partner based in Oxford and heads up the firm’s litigation & dispute resolution team. He joined the firm in 2006 from a practice in North London.
James has extensive experience in resolving civil disputes for individuals, partnerships and companies. He has acted for these entities in a variety of different courts and tribunals including the county and high courts, property-related matters in the Property Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal, in Land Registry adjudications, in leasehold disputes and employment claims in the employment tribunal.
With the emphasis on litigants to consider alternative methods of resolving disputes, James takes a pragmatic approach and has been successful in mediations involving complex and emotive issues.
Areas of expertise:
- Consumer and commercial contract disputes
- Company/director/shareholder disputes
- Contentious probate (validity of Wills, claims by dependents)
- Professional negligence (e.g. against surveyors, solicitors, accountants)
- Residential and commercial landlord and tenant claims
- Boundary determinations
- Trespass and infringements of rights of way (easements)
- Unfair and constructive dismissal and settlement agreements
Recent work:
- Defended a high value breach of trust claim.
- Acted for a claimant in complex partnership proceedings involving a substantial property portfolio.
- Contested the validity of a Will in a multi-million pound estate.
- Acted on behalf of a client seeking adequate provision under his late mother’s Will.
- Acted for a commercial landlord in proceedings for a new business lease.
- Acted for a commercial tenant in possession proceedings instituted by the landlord.
- Acted on behalf of a landlord in possession proceedings for non-payment of rent and counterclaims for the failure to comply with the tenancy deposit schemes.
- Acted for City employee in a settlement agreement relating to an unfair dismissal claim.
- Acting in a boundary determination.
Personal interests:
James enjoys spending time with his family, travelling to France and playing sports when the time permits.
